Source: Dakota Rundschau, 27 March 1931 · 📰

From: Krasna, Bessarabia
23 February 1931

Dear Editor Brendel:

Rain followed snow and rain again so that on February 19 the creeks flooded. Several farmers had to shore up and dike their threshing platforms and the area at their gates to stave off the water.

The widow of the late Jakob Ternes, Rosalie nee Habrich, died on February 8 at the age of 70. The woman had suffered a lengthy illness. Her numerous children are all married. – Michael Mandernacht died on February 16 at the age of 72. He leaves behind his wife, children and grandchildren. – Ottilia, wife of Georg Furch, died February 20 of pneumonia. She was 27 years old, daughter of the late Lukas Erker. She leaves behind her husband and two small children. – The widow of the late Daniel Gross, Theresia nee Hinz, died February 21 at the age of 80.

Jakob Bartle who fled with his family from Selz in the Kutschurgan region to Bessarabia, as I already mentioned before, was here in Krasna to look for work to feed his family. He could not find a job, but he will not go hungry.

The Spanish flu is raging here. Ninety-two school-aged children are ill and entire families are stricken. Fortunately, the malady has not caused any deaths so far. The illness lasts three to four days accompanied by headaches, fever, stiff and sore limbs, and then it is gone.

We had another strong frost on February 23. The water has receded and the bridge is passable again.

Grain prices per Pud: Barley 18 Lei, rapeseed 50 Lei, corn 20 Lei and flax 140 Lei. The prices are so low now that the farmer is at zero profit. Many sold their grain to cover their debt, but they will still have to purchase seed in the spring.

On February 11, the soldiers claimed their quarters in Krasna. There were 28 of them and they were a rough lot. They beat the son of the late Klemens Ihli badly enough to have him hospitalized in Tarutino. What will become of the scoundrels will be determined in the future.

In closing, regards to all readers here and there.

Joseph Braun